Israeli defense minister wants to cut off electricity to Gaza

On the second day of fighting between Israel and Palestinians led by the Hamas terrorist organization, Israel's Deputy Minister of Defense Danny Dannon called for putting a stop to Israel's supply of electricity and fuel to the Gaza Strip. “The supplying of electricity and fuel to the Gaza Strip must be stopped immediately”, said Dannon on July 9, “It’s inconceivable that on one hand we are fighting the Hamas and on the other hand we supply them with electricity and fuel used for the propelling of rockets fired at us.” A member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party, Dannon wants Israel to use leverage to bring Hamas to a cease fire.

Also on July 9, an Egyptian military official was quoted as saying that Egypt has destroyed 19 tunnels connecting the Gaza Strip to the Sinai. This further hinders the Hamas’ supply and rearmament efforts.

Hamas has been firing rockets for several weeks into Israel, but fired more than 160 into Israel on July 8. Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza, killing the leader of the military wing of Hamas and family members. At least 27 people have been killed so far, according to Palestinian sources. Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system has intercepted 7 out of 40 Hamas missiles fired on July 9. The Israeli defense forces have called up reservists for possible service should Israel invade Gaza as it did in the Operation Cast Lead of 2008 and Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012.